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Fennelly

Engineer[1] and geologist[2] in Echo Springs,[1] Utah Territory[2] in 1870.[1] (July 31, 1815 – December 19, 1873)[2]

In 1863, Fennelly and his partners, Thomas Potter, Sylvester Nichols and Robert Kerwan, discovered gold on Caledonia Hill in Colorado Territory. They began mining operations of the Fennelly Mine in that year.[3]

In 1866, Phineas King called on Fennelly to conduct a private survey along the proposed Union Pacific Railroad route for potential mining sites of precious metals. Fennelly’s team discovered promising mineral wealth in the vicinity of the Echo Springs mining camp in Utah Territory in 1867. King had Fennelly stake claims, buy out other claims nearby and commence mining operations at Echo Springs under the name of the Silver Lady Mine.[2]

When King arrived in Utah Territory, Fennelly’s operations were well under way. Once the railroad came through, they helped to build the small mining camp of Echo Springs into a town of commerce.[2]

In 1870, Fennelly discovered that the New Hope Mining Company was excavating ore beneath the Silver Lady’s boundaries. The information led to a lawsuit between the two mining companies. Based on the Apex Law, judgment in Echo Springs went to New Hope, but was later overturned in Utah Territory’s Supreme Court[2] in Salt Lake City.[1]

Fennelly had grown infirm and passed away in 1873. His mine in Colorado continued to operate under his partners’ direction until 1879.[2]

See: War of the Silver Kings